Two beavers released into the wild have been caught on camera enjoying their new life as a pair.<\/p>\n
The beavers were part of Cornwall’s first fully-licensed release organised by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT).<\/a><\/p>\n CWT said: “Though released as pairs, there was no guarantee they would stay together, so this is a really exciting early sign.”<\/p>\n It added the footage showed the pair were “hard at work” building their first dam which was “another positive sign that they’re settling into an area already”.<\/p>\n Natural England previously issued licences<\/a> to release the animals at the National Trust’s Holnicote Estate in Exmoor, Somerset, and at a site in Cornwall chosen by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.<\/p>\n The CWT released two pairs of beavers at a trust nature reserve in mid-Cornwall, within the Par and Fowey river catchment at the beginning of February. <\/p>\n It said: “Our team were delighted to spot these two together on the camera traps. <\/p>\n “They were one of the first pairs to be released and, while we hoped they may stay together, it was far from guaranteed \u2013 so really hopeful and heartening to see.”<\/p>\n Nature minister Mary Creagh has said the return of beavers is a vital part of the government’s “mission to protect and restore nature”.<\/p>\n Beavers became extinct from the wild in England more than 400 years ago due to hunting for their pelts, meat and glands.<\/p>\n Follow BBC Cornwall on X, external<\/a>, Facebook, external<\/a> and Instagram, external<\/a>. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk, external<\/a>.<\/p>\n